(I'm in the UK, so am dealing with the NHS - which I normally have no complaints about. However...)
Four weeks ago I slipped and fell very suddenly on slippery ground. After about 40 minutes, my left foot had swollen to the point I couldn't walk on it. I had an x-ray that day and was told it wasn't broken, and to walk on it as pain allowed. I did that - barely walking on it and when I did, only gingerly - and it felt worse and the swelling got worse. My toes were all swollen and moved out of shape and the ball of my foot was swollen as well. One and a half weeks from the fall, I went to my GP and he said to stay off it completely, keep it raised, apply ice packs and continue taking the anti-inflammatory I'd been taking (at the highest strength/dosage possible) since the fall. (And continue with my pain meds..!) If it wasn't better in about 4-5 days, he told me to get another x-ray at A&E.
Two weeks + 1 day after the fall, I had another x-ray, and the A&E doctor told me my foot was in fact broken and I was fitted with a plaster of paris cast. I was given a follow up appointment for 2 weeks later and told to continue with the anti-inflammatories and keep the foot elevated at all times.
I went to the follow-up this past Tuesday and now I'm told it isn't broken, only sprained, and am scheduled for physio on Monday!!! When I questioned the A&E diagnosis, the "consultant" muttered something about junior doctors! He was abrupt and insulting - and didn't even know/acknowledge the facts of my injury. He wrote on my physio referral that it happened 2 weeks prior, not 4 weeks, i.e. the date of my visit to A&E, showing he didn't even read any notes/info from that date.
The swelling hasn't gone down at all since the day after the fall (the day of the fall it swelled up so much it didn't even look like a foot). The pain is exactly the same level, in the same localised places, and I still have a bruise running down the middle of the bottom of my foot. I can't stand on it without an incredible amount of pain - can't even hold it upright when sitting down with my leg stretched out. I get very sudden and sharp pains.
Should the swelling and pain be at exactly the same level 4 weeks on if it's a sprain? And if it is a sprain - an dthe pain and swelling are at the same level 4 weeks on - am I really ready for physio??
In the meantime, whilst the foot was in the cast, I developed a strange feeling around my big toe, like I'm wearing flipflops (with the thong between my big + next toe), as well as the feeling that there is a band around the base of the big toe. I overheard the "specialist consultant" I saw yesterday dictate in his notes that I had this pain (in the wrong foot!!!) and that he didn't know how to explain it - but no suggestion that we try to figure out what's causing it!
Also, they took the plaster cast off at Tuesday's appointment, and I now simply have a Tubi-grip around my (thinner!) calf, ankle and down to just short of my toes. The pad of my foot is swollen as well. My heel is beginning to alternate between actually hurting and going "numb". Wednesday the inside of my ankle started hurting and right now it is excruciating. My foot is swollen and the bruise on the bottom of my foot is still there, almost 5 weeks on. My foot is curving inward and I can't hold it in its "proper" position without a lot of effort and pain.
I'm out of work, in pain and scared that I've been misdiagnosed more than once. Daily, I'm on 150mg diclofenac sodium and up to 8 tablets of 30/500mg Solpadol (though I've been trying to keep it at 4 tablets because otherwise I get so sleepy I can barely think or speak). The diclofenac seems to be having no effect on the swelling/inflammation, and neither does keeping it elevated all day long.
I realise no one can make an actual diagnosis without seeing my foot and seeing the x-rays - though even those who have seen the x-rays seem unable to agree a diagnosis. I'm just in a lot of pain and very frustrated and looking for anything to help explain. Thanks to anyone who can help.
For what it's worth, I'm no wimp when it comes to pain. I can withstand quite a lot, and if I could be absolutely positive I wasn't doing any damage to my foot, I would be standing on it through the pain. But I can't help but think that the pain I'm having is trying to tell me something.
DISCLAIER:
THE FOLLOWING IS OFFERED GRATIS AS GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY, AND, AS SUCH, MAY NOT BE APPLICABLE TO THE SPECIFIC QUESTIONER AND/OR HIS/HER PROBLEM. IT IS CLEARLY NOT BASED ON ACTUAL KNOWLEDGE AND/OR EXAMINATION OF THE QUESTIONER OR HIS/HER MEDICAL HISTORY, AND IT CAN NOT AND SHOULD NOT BE RELIED UPON AS DEFINITIVE MEDICAL OPINION OR ADVICE. ONLY THROUGH HANDS- ON PHYSICAL CONTACT WITH THE ACTUAL PATIENT CAN ACCURATE MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS BE ESTABLISHED AND SPECIFIC ADVICE BE GIVEN. NO DOCTOR/PATIENT RELATIONSHIP IS CREATED OR ESTABLISHED OR MAY BE INFERRED. THE QUESTIONER AND/OR READER IS INSTRUCTED TO CONSULT HIS OR HER OWN DOCTOR BEFORE PROCEEDING WITH ANY SUGGESTIONS CONTAINED HEREIN, AND TO ACT ONLY UPON HIS/HER OWN DOCTOR’S ORDERS AND RECOMMENDATIONS. BY THE READING OF MY POSTING WHICH FOLLOWS, THE READER STIPULATES AND CONFIRMS THAT HE/SHE FULLY UNDERSTANDS THIS DISCLAIMER AND HOLDS HARMLESS THIS WRITER. IF THIS IS NOT FULLY AGREEABLE TO YOU, THE READER, AND/OR YOU HAVE NOT ATTAINED THE AGE OF 18 YEARS, YOU HEREBY ARE ADMONISHED TO READ NO FURTHER.
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Clearly, no one without actually examining you can shed any meaningful light on your situation. The only "facts" to go on are totally unreliable, as you imply that your doctors don't seem to know what they are doing, and any decisions based on their suspect findings would be ridiculous. Worst of all, should you get any replies on what you actually have sustained or what might be done about it, they will be mere guesses on which you would likely be unwise to act. In conclusion, a competent examination by competent doctors is the only thing I can recommend. But, in light of your title to this post, you are very wrong if you think that even if it is a sprain that the word "simple" is appropriate, as sprains can be far more devastating than fractures and with sometimes permanent incapacities.
One further thought. It may be too early to consider post-traumatic sympathetic dystrophy, but discuss this with your doctors.
ugh.. I sort of understand your story
I sprained my foot at dance, and when I went to the doctor they told me it was broken. So I ended up with annoying crutches and an inability to walk.. etc
Anyway, when I went to an orthapedic surgeon for a followup a week later, he said that my foot was only sprained and that I could put weight on it as pain allowed..
That was a waste of a week of my life..
But your condition sounds more severe than mine. I only had swelling on the side of my foot
Have you found out any more information regarding your injury. My sister has the EXACT same problem right now, and she's really frustrated and we are too poor to keep going back to the doctor's.
In contrast to the original poster I fell down stairs and ended up at A&E, where the x-ray clearly shows the break to my 5th metatarsal. In cast until 16th December. The care I had there was excellent so it is a real shame you have no proper answers on your issue.
My bruising is different but perhaps this is due to it being the 5th bone, so on the edge of my foot. I'm hoping that as I immediately applied a cold tea-towel wrapped firmly and elevated immediately (didn't call anyone for at least 20 mins) that this helped with the initial swellilng.
I'm also sorry to hear the max dose of dicolefenac isn't working - I hope it clears up soon and you're back to walking again. Is there another hospital you could go to for a second opinion? Or a local chiropodist or podiatrist who could do a home visit and check you over?
Dear Emily, I am not a Doctor but I am an x-ray tech. In my experience. Sometimes it is harder for a sprain to heal than a Fracture. but Four weeks out you should see some improvement. I would recomend going to a Orthopedic Dr. They Specialize in this. Also if is a stress fracture on your fourth, and fifth metatarsal they can be hard to locate. They might order an MRI, to furthur diagnose you properly. Hope this helps Carrie lewis@wcrtc.net
I am not a doctor but I from what you've been telling me it sounds like you may have Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome (RSDS). My mother was diagnosed with this years ago and it took quite a few doctors until she found one who figured out what is wrong with her. I was doing some research on a foot injury I experienced myself recently and I came across your inquiry. From what I know of the disease it is permanent nerve damage and there is no cure. Like I said, I have no medical experience but from what I read of your story, it could be a possibility. Do some research on it and I find a doctor who has heard of this disease, good luck.
Foot Doc,
yesterday at gymnastics as I was doing a kip to the bar, there was a mat in the way and my toes kicked head on right into it. Hurts quite a bit if I walk properly (not veering to the medial side of my foot), is swollen and slightly discoloured on the top of my foot, on the lateral side. Painful at the top (4th metatarsal region i think?)with toe flexion and pointing, and walking normally feels swollen on bottom & top and hurts abit...but, i can jog if most of my weight is on my heels. Is this more likely to be a sprain or fracture, and since it seems pretty mild (I can walk and jog with varying my gait/stride/foot position) can I just treat it at home with ice or would i really have to get this checked?
Thanks so much anje1973@hotmail.com
DISCLAIMER:
THE FOLLOWING IS OFFERED GRATIS AS GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY, AND, AS SUCH, MAY NOT BE APPLICABLE TO THE SPECIFIC QUESTIONER AND/OR HIS/HER PROBLEM. IT IS CLEARLY NOT BASED ON ACTUAL KNOWLEDGE AND/OR EXAMINATION OF THE QUESTIONER OR HIS/HER MEDICAL HISTORY, AND IT CAN NOT AND SHOULD NOT BE RELIED UPON AS DEFINITIVE MEDICAL OPINION OR ADVICE. ONLY THROUGH HANDS- ON PHYSICAL CONTACT WITH THE ACTUAL PATIENT CAN ACCURATE MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS BE ESTABLISHED AND SPECIFIC ADVICE BE GIVEN. NO DOCTOR/PATIENT RELATIONSHIP IS CREATED OR ESTABLISHED OR MAY BE INFERRED. THE QUESTIONER AND/OR READER IS INSTRUCTED TO CONSULT HIS OR HER OWN DOCTOR BEFORE PROCEEDING WITH ANY SUGGESTIONS CONTAINED HEREIN, AND TO ACT ONLY UPON HIS/HER OWN DOCTOR’S ORDERS AND RECOMMENDATIONS. BY THE READING OF MY POSTING WHICH FOLLOWS, THE READER STIPULATES AND CONFIRMS THAT HE/SHE FULLY UNDERSTANDS THIS DISCLAIMER AND HOLDS HARMLESS THIS WRITER. IF THIS IS NOT FULLY AGREEABLE TO YOU, THE READER, AND/OR YOU HAVE NOT ATTAINED THE AGE OF 18 YEARS, YOU HEREBY ARE ADMONISHED TO READ NO FURTHER.
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I would second the opinion of the x-ray tech that sprains CAN be more problematic in the long term than a fracture. Unfortunately, too often patients use the expression, "just a sprain," and consider that if there is not a fracture then there is no need for definitive care. So, whether or not you have sustained a fracture, you need at least an evaluation to determine the damage and appropriate care, especially as you will be routinely wanting to over-stress the foot in your normal activities as a gymnast and improper and/or non-timely treatment might haunt you in the future. I'm not sure why the tech who posted seemed to think that you were in your 4th week of discomfort, as you posted that this injury occurred yesterday. One thing for sure, though, although you might have sustained a micro-fracture through your explained trauma, you don't have what by would properly be termed a stress fracture, as by definition, a stress fracture is one sustained without a history of overt trauma. The bottom line is that unless you have this injury professional evaluated by either a podiatrist of an orthopedist, you will not know what you are dealing with in the necessary timely manner.
Sorry, but the portions of my post referencing a response by the x-ray tech which was actually a reply to someone else which I had mistaken thought was to your post.
5th Metatarsal Break...or "simple" sprain???
Re: 5th Metatarsal Break...or "simple" sprain???
Re: 5th Metatarsal Break...or "simple" sprain???
Re: 5th Metatarsal Break...or "simple" sprain???
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